Creating innovation from the simplest of resources,An international team of scientists led by researchers from the University of Texas, Dallas, created a new form of artificial muscle from the properties of a fishing line and nylon sewing thread. This new fiber could replace the much more expensive synthetic muscle that is already being used today.
Almost seemingly done by hand, researchers twisted and coiled a high strength polimer fishing line and sewing thread to create artificial muscles that can contract and relax, making it a powerful innovation.
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This new strength gives the fiber the ability to carry heavy objects and produce more mechanical power than a human or even an animal could. Natural muscle fibers can only extract to about 20% of its length but this new fiber can extract beyond double of that to about 50%.
“In terms of the strength and power of the artificial muscle, we found that it can quickly lift weights 100 times heavier than a same-sized human muscle can, in a single contraction,” said Electrical and Computer Engineer from the University of British Columbia Professor John Madden. “It also has a higher power output for its weight than that of an automobile combustion engine.”
Some of the instances the device could be used for are medical devices that could help those who have impaired mobility, exoskeletons, prosthetic limbs, andas you probably predicted,humanoid robots that will be able to perform much better thanks to this new innovation.
“The application opportunities for these polymer muscles are vast,” said author Dr. Ray Baughman in astatement. “Today’s most advanced humanoid robots, prosthetic limbs and wearable exoskeletons are limited by motors and hydraulic systems, whose size and weight restrict dexterity, force generation and work capability.”
Artificial muscle has been made by other denser materials like metal wires and nano tubes, but it is more expensive than the use of a fishing line and nylon sewing thread, and difficult to control.
